It is playoff time in the NFL, and that means its about to get serious. There are some great teams left, and some truly prolific superstars, looking to etch their names into the history books. There are familiar faces like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who are sure-fire hall of famers looking to add to their resume. There are guys like Adrian Peterson and Aaron Rodgers, who look to solidify their careers and stake their claim as the best in the business. There are also aging teams like the Baltimore Ravens, who are trying to win a title before their window closes. With all the veteran teams and players we will see in this postseason, the biggest story may be all the fresh blood that will step into the spotlight.
For the first time ever, we will see three rookie quarterbacks start a playoff game. In fact, Sunday will be the first time two rookie passers go head to head in a playoff game when RG3 and the NFC East Champion Washington Redskins host the red hot Seattle Seahawks and their young gunner Russell Wilson. The other rookie signal caller Andrew Luck will take his Colts to Baltimore to face a hungry Ravens team that may be facing their last shot at a ring. These rookies hope to set the tone for what will be a long, successful career, and it starts now.
Before the season, I predicted that the New England Patriots would defeat the Green Bay Packers to win their fourth Superbowl title in the Brady/Belichick era. That was my prediction in September and I am sticking to it here in January. While I am no longer convinced they are the two best teams, I am convinced that they will get it done when it counts. They will both, however, have a tough road, and will most likely have to win a road game if they hope to make it.
This week is the Wild Card round. The first game is the Cincinnati Bengals at the Houston Texans. The Texans have struggled down the stretch, whereas the Bengals have won some big games over the last month or so. I think the momentum will change in this one and the Texans will take it. I expect it to be a defensive struggle that will have two of the best receivers in the league going head to head, in Houston's Andre Johnson and Cincinnati's AJ Green. I just see the Texans having too much fire power on both sides.
The other game this Saturday is the Green Bay Packers hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers lost to Minnesota this past weekend when both teams had a lot to play for. I do not see that happening this week. Aaron Rodgers will need to have a big game, but I believe the key could be the recently re-signed running back Ryan Grant, who was with them when they won the title two years ago. If he can get some yards and keep Adrian Peterson off the field, the Packers should win this one easily.
Sunday afternoon we get to see the Ravens at home against the Colts. Baltimore will be hungry. Ray Lewis does not want this to be the last game he plays. They will force Andrew Luck into mistakes. I think Luck will look like a rookie and that will end any chance the Colts have to win this one.
The final game of the weekend is the Redskins vs the Seahawks in D.C. The 'Hawks and the 'Skins are two of the hottest teams in the league, but that has to end for one of them. While I think RG3 is the better quarterback, I think the Seahawks have the better team. Marshawn Lynch will have a big game, and the Seahawks defense will step up when it needs to. I think Seattle wins this one big.
If my predictions are correct it would set up these matchups: Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos, Houston Texans @ New England Patriots.
The Atlanta Falcons are not the best #1 seed in recent memory. Seattle has the ground game that can beat them, and they will. The Packers offense can move against the Niners D. Green Bay's past Superbowl experience will give them the edge, and they will come away with the victory. That will set up a rematch of one of the most controversial games of the season, and I say the Packers avenge the loss on their way to the Superbowl.
The Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL. I believe they are the most balanced team in the league and it will show when they beat the Ravens. The Pats manhandled Houston about a month ago. That will not happen again, but the Pats will still win at home. That will set up the ultimate Clash of the Titans as Brady and Manning will add another chapter to their illustrious rivalry. Though I believe the Broncos are the best team in the league right now, I must stick to my preseason picks and say the Pats will win.
The Superbowl will be an offensive explosion. It could break records. The two teams who had the worse defenses in the league a year ago, as well as the two best offenses this season, should put on quite a show. Aaron Rodgers will look to become the new "Best QB", but Brady will not let the torch go too easily. Since Eli Manning cannot stand in his way this season, Brady will get his fourth ring. You all know I have been a huge Stevan Ridley fan since the day we drafted him, so I will even give him the MVP in this one.
After the parade through the streets of Boston, the curtain will close on another NFL season. It will be a sad time, with long, dark days ahead. There will be no sunshine until late April, when the NFL Draft takes place and begins the excitement of free agency. Then, soon enough, training camp will roll back around so we can do it all over again!
Come back to the site tomorrow to see Matt and my own full picks for the week!
For the first time ever, we will see three rookie quarterbacks start a playoff game. In fact, Sunday will be the first time two rookie passers go head to head in a playoff game when RG3 and the NFC East Champion Washington Redskins host the red hot Seattle Seahawks and their young gunner Russell Wilson. The other rookie signal caller Andrew Luck will take his Colts to Baltimore to face a hungry Ravens team that may be facing their last shot at a ring. These rookies hope to set the tone for what will be a long, successful career, and it starts now.
Before the season, I predicted that the New England Patriots would defeat the Green Bay Packers to win their fourth Superbowl title in the Brady/Belichick era. That was my prediction in September and I am sticking to it here in January. While I am no longer convinced they are the two best teams, I am convinced that they will get it done when it counts. They will both, however, have a tough road, and will most likely have to win a road game if they hope to make it.
This week is the Wild Card round. The first game is the Cincinnati Bengals at the Houston Texans. The Texans have struggled down the stretch, whereas the Bengals have won some big games over the last month or so. I think the momentum will change in this one and the Texans will take it. I expect it to be a defensive struggle that will have two of the best receivers in the league going head to head, in Houston's Andre Johnson and Cincinnati's AJ Green. I just see the Texans having too much fire power on both sides.
The other game this Saturday is the Green Bay Packers hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers lost to Minnesota this past weekend when both teams had a lot to play for. I do not see that happening this week. Aaron Rodgers will need to have a big game, but I believe the key could be the recently re-signed running back Ryan Grant, who was with them when they won the title two years ago. If he can get some yards and keep Adrian Peterson off the field, the Packers should win this one easily.
Sunday afternoon we get to see the Ravens at home against the Colts. Baltimore will be hungry. Ray Lewis does not want this to be the last game he plays. They will force Andrew Luck into mistakes. I think Luck will look like a rookie and that will end any chance the Colts have to win this one.
The final game of the weekend is the Redskins vs the Seahawks in D.C. The 'Hawks and the 'Skins are two of the hottest teams in the league, but that has to end for one of them. While I think RG3 is the better quarterback, I think the Seahawks have the better team. Marshawn Lynch will have a big game, and the Seahawks defense will step up when it needs to. I think Seattle wins this one big.
If my predictions are correct it would set up these matchups: Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos, Houston Texans @ New England Patriots.
The Atlanta Falcons are not the best #1 seed in recent memory. Seattle has the ground game that can beat them, and they will. The Packers offense can move against the Niners D. Green Bay's past Superbowl experience will give them the edge, and they will come away with the victory. That will set up a rematch of one of the most controversial games of the season, and I say the Packers avenge the loss on their way to the Superbowl.
The Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL. I believe they are the most balanced team in the league and it will show when they beat the Ravens. The Pats manhandled Houston about a month ago. That will not happen again, but the Pats will still win at home. That will set up the ultimate Clash of the Titans as Brady and Manning will add another chapter to their illustrious rivalry. Though I believe the Broncos are the best team in the league right now, I must stick to my preseason picks and say the Pats will win.
The Superbowl will be an offensive explosion. It could break records. The two teams who had the worse defenses in the league a year ago, as well as the two best offenses this season, should put on quite a show. Aaron Rodgers will look to become the new "Best QB", but Brady will not let the torch go too easily. Since Eli Manning cannot stand in his way this season, Brady will get his fourth ring. You all know I have been a huge Stevan Ridley fan since the day we drafted him, so I will even give him the MVP in this one.
After the parade through the streets of Boston, the curtain will close on another NFL season. It will be a sad time, with long, dark days ahead. There will be no sunshine until late April, when the NFL Draft takes place and begins the excitement of free agency. Then, soon enough, training camp will roll back around so we can do it all over again!
Come back to the site tomorrow to see Matt and my own full picks for the week!
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